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Wording
Phonetic
English
     
Salam Sah-lam Hello/Hi
Ma a salama
 
Mah ah sah-lah-mah Good Bye!
Hal tatakallamo alloghah al Enjileziah / Alarabiah? Hahl tah-tah-kah-lah-moh ahl-oh-gah ahl Ehn-jill-ehz-ee-ah / Ah-lah-rah-bee-ah Do you speak English / Arabic?
Esmee… Ehz-mee My name is…
Hal beemkanek mosa’adati Hahl beam-kah-nehk moh-sah-ah-dah-tee Can you help me?
Abhatu an… Ahb-hah-too ahn I’m looking for…
Na’am / Laa Nah-ahm / Lah Yes / No
Assayed / Assayedah / Al Anesah Ah-say-ehd / Ah-say-ehd-ah / Ahl Ah-ney-sah Mr / Mrs / Miss
Alyawm / Al aan Ahl-yorm / Ahl Ahn Today / Now
Ghadan / Albareha Gah-dahn / Ahl-bah-reh-ah Tomorrow / Yesterday
Haza / Zalek / Huna / Hunak Hah-zah / Zah-lek / Hoo-nah / Hoo-nahk This / That / Here / There

Phrases

Above are a few common Arabic phrases to help you get around.

Languages

Arabic is the official language of Bahrain with Bahraini Arabic as the local dialect and most widely spoken version of the Arabic language. However, English is incredibly widespread and used among businesses and politicians frequently. Additionally many people speak Persian, Urdu, Malayalam and Hindi, with many institutions being bilingual, usually in English and Arabic.

Religion

The dominant religion in Bahrain is Islam with around 70% of them being Shia Muslims and the remainder being Sunni Muslims. However, other prominent religions in the country include Hinduism and Catholicism, making up around 10% of the population each.

Additionally, Protestantism makes up 5% of the population, Buddhists make up another 2% and similarly, another 2% are Atheist. Additionally, 1% identify as Orthodox Christians (with about 1000 members) and 1% are said to have other religious beliefs. There is also a very small, close-knit Jewish community of 36-50 people. Believers of non-state religions enjoy religious and social freedoms like any other developed country.

Museums, Galleries & Architecture

Like many other countries in the Gulf region, traditional Bahraini architecture follows an Islamic style with strong use of straight edges with repeated circular symmetry. It’s common to incorporate a wind tower into the design to help ventilate the house or building and typically features a courtyard in the centre of the structure and sometimes a couple of courtyards. The rooftops would be structured to help catch summer breezes and direct them into the house whilst featuring thick walls to keep the house warm during winter months. However, following the economic improvement of the 1970s, western-style buildings became incredibly widespread and today these are more prevalent than their old-world counterparts.

There are only few of museums in Bahrain but these two are incredibly prominent, they include the Bahrain National Museum which was opened in 1988 and serves to document Bahrain’s entire history from contemporary to ancient times as well as the natural and religious histories in the country, and the Beit Al Qaran which is dedicated to the Islamic arts and manuscripts of the Quran. 


Clothing, Dress Style & Etiquette

Common rules and social expectations surrounding clothing are more relaxed in Bahrain when compared to its neighbours, but female attire still typically consists of the Hijab (a veil covering the head and chest) and the Abaya (a long robe-like dress covering the whole body).

Male attire typically includes the Thobe (a body-length garment with long sleeves), the Keffiyeh (a type of cloth-like headdress) and the Agal (a thick black cord worn over the keffiyeh to keep it in place).

Literature, Poetry, Music & Dance

Historically, Bahrain is mentioned as the land of Dilmun in the ancient text, the Epic of Gilgamesh, written well over three thousand years ago.
With most authors writing in a classical Arabic style, famous and popular authors include Qassim Haddad, Ahmad Muhammed Al Khalifa, Ali Al-Sharqawi and Ebrahim Al-Arrayedh. However, more recently, poetry has taken on prose and free verse styles centring on both personal and political matters with publications published in Arabic and very rarely in English.

Female writers too are prominent within the region with poetry being a principle skill of Bahraini women starting in the 20th Century. Notable female writers include Fawziyya Al-Sindi, Fathiya Ajlan, Iman Asiri, Hamda Khamis and Fatima Al-Taytun, it’s said that over one sixth of all poets during the 20th Century were female.

Calendar & Events

Bahrain’s calendar begins with a holiday on January 1st for New Years’ day, moves on to the 1st of May which celebrates another holiday on Labour day, then this is followed with two holidays on National Day and Ascension Day on the 16th and 17th of December respectively. Bahrain also celebrates many Islamic holidays like its neighbours, including the Islamic New Year, the Day of Ashura, the Prophet’s birthday, the Little Feast, Arafat Day and the Feast of the Sacrifice. 

Clubs in Bahrain are few and far between but are at an incredibly high quality when compared to clubs worldwide, this is especially apparent when looking at the Bushido Lounge which utilizes an incredibly powerful oriental style, wall scrolls, imagery and heavy use of red colours to create a truly unique nightlife experience.

For a slightly smaller yet no less active venue, you’ll love the Ibrida. The club features an in-house DJ, a large dance floor and often has live music and bands play in it, the style is more of a contemporary western one and sees some of the top new international hits played all throughout the night. 

Money

Bahrain used the Bahraini Dinar (currency code: BHD) which can be divided down into 1000 Bahraini Fils. BHD 1 is equivalent to around $2.65 or £1.58.
Coins come in 5 and 10 fils amounts in Brass, 25 and 50 fils amounts in Cupro-Nickel, 100 films in bimetallic Brass and Cupro-Nickel.
Bank notes are available in 500 fils, 1 Dinar, 5 Dinar, 10 Dinar and 20 Dinar variants.

Economy

Bahrain’s main economic produce comes in the form of Petroleum exportation and exports of similar products as well as Aluminium and Textiles. In regards to oil exportation, Bahrain has seen an annual economic growth of 5.5% since 2001 and trades mainly with Saudi Arabia, India and the United Arab Emirates at 3%, 2.2% and 2% of all trades between these nations respectively.

Oil makes up 27% of all exports, but a substantial amount of trades are made up with Iron ores at 11%, as well as around 3% which are petroleum gases. Additionally, around 8.4% are refined variants of aluminium with another 8.2% as unrefined variants, 6.5% are made up of Aluminium plates and sheets, around 5% of trades are Aluminium wires of various kinds and another 5% makes up many other Aluminium products, pipes, scrap and such. The remaining 25% of trade is split fairly evenly between air conditioners, cars, minerals and chemicals, acidic alcohol, cheese, food preparation materials and women’s clothing.

Banking

Like many other Middle Eastern nations, cities are developed widely in Bahrain and thus ATMs are widespread, however, using another bank’s ATM may incur a fee for doing so.

Also similarly to other nearby Middle Eastern nations, as well as most countries in the west, Bahraini banks offer three types of bank accounts including Current Accounts, Savings Accounts and Fixed Deposit Accounts.

Current Accounts are the most flexible and usually come with an unlimited amount of free withdrawals during the day. However these accounts typically have the lowest interest rates.

Savings Accounts are more balanced out and allow less free withdrawals during day-to-day life but in return tend to offer much better interest rates.
Fixed Deposit Accounts restrict the user to a few, or only one, withdrawal a year. However, in return for this solidarity, the bank will typically offer the highest interest rates available but will normally expect regular deposits to be made into the account.

Taxes

In Bahrain, there is no form of personal, corporate, withholding or value added tax at all. However, a municipal tax of 10% on the monthly rental of residential and business properties is applicable and a 5% tax on all hotel services and entertainment is also applicable. Generally speaking, a tax rate of around 5% is applied to all imported goods, but many food products, capital goods, raw materials and medicines are exempt from this. 

Bahraini cuisine is limited due to the importation of most of its food, this in turn is due to limited land space, but it does grow a fair amount of dates, citrus fruits, mangoes, tomatoes, bananas, pomegranates and cucumbers. Bahraini cuisine also uses a lot of fish including the rabbitfish, bream and mackerel in their dishes. Dishes may include Khubz (a large type of flatbread often served with fish sauce) and Qoozi (grilled lamb with rice, onions, boiled eggs and spices).

Additionally, Halwa Showaiter, a jelly made with corn starch, nuts and saffron, is a popular desert in the region. Similarly popular is Gahwa, a type of coffee, which is drank throughout the region as part of a traditional welcome to a household. It’s common for open-air cafes to serve these dishes, deserts and drinks alongside Sheesha, a type of flavoured and sweetened tobacco, which is regularly enjoyed by a majority of the population. 

VISA Requirements

Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Bahrain and may use National ID Cards instead:

  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Arab Emirates
Citizens of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival or online which is valid for fourteen days:
  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • China
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Liechtenstein
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Vatican City
Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may also apply for a 72-hour visa or a seven-day visa upon arrival at the airport if they have already stayed for more than six months in their country of residence.

Health Care

Bahrain’s health care system is universally free to all Bahraini citizens and is incredibly cheap for expatriates, but unlike most other Gulf States, Bahraini nationals form the majority of Bahrain’s physician and nursing staff. Both public and private hospitals alike are widespread throughout the country and the life expectancy of Bahrain is high as a result with the average as 73 years of age for men and 76 for women.

AIDS, HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria are nearly non-existent within the country and vaccination against TB and Hep B are sponsored strongly by the Ministry of Health. However, Bahrain’s obesity rate is incredibly high as around 29% of all men and over 38% of all women are classified as obese. In turn this has substantially boosted the rates of both diabetes and heart disease which sit at 5% and 32% of all deaths in the country. Additionally, around 18% of Bahraini nationals are carriers of sickle cell anaemia and 24% are carriers of thalassemia.

Transportation

As Bahrain had developed itself more and more rapidly, the transportation infrastructure has had to move forwards with it and in turn, over four thousand kilometres of roads have been built with around three thousand kilometres of them being paved. Additionally, multiple roads have been constructed to link together the nearby islands, as well as the four-lane King Fahd Causeway joining Bahrain to nearby Saudi Arabia and the planned Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge, connecting Bahrain to Qatar.

Although there are no railways in Bahrain as of the moment, there are plans to connect the country to the rest of the Persian Gulf via railway as well as implementing a light rail network within Bahrain itself. There are two airports within the country, Bahrain International Airport and Isa Air Base (with 4 and 3.8 thousand kilometres of paved runways respectively), as well as a single heliport. Bahrain is also home to three harbours in Sitrah, Manama and Mina Salman which includes nine ships over 1,000 tons in weight (4 barge carriers, 4 containers and 1 petroleum tanker).

Embassies

Embassies in Bahrain include:

Algerian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Algeria in Manama, Bahrain
Villa 1220, Road 3324
Um Al-Hassam 333
Manama, Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: +973 17 740 659
Fax: +973 17 740 652
Email: algerian.embassy@gmail.com
Details: Ambassador: Nadjib Senoussi
 
Bangladesh Bangladeshi Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Bangladeshi Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Building 674, Road 3213, Mahooz, Block 332
P.O. Box 26718
Manama
Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (+973) 1 774 1976 / 54
Fax: (+973) 1 774 1927
Website: http://www.bdembassy.org.bh
Email: bangla@batelco.com.bh / bdoot@live.com
 
Belgium Belgian Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Manama, Bahrain
Villa 843, Road 1323, Block 513
Maqabah - Saar 513
Bahrain
P.O. Box 21109 Central Market
Manama, Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: + (973)  (39) 68.29.31
Fax: + (973)  (17) 52.21.27
Email: marco@batelco.com.bh
 
Canada Canadian Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Consulate of Canada in Manama, Bahrain
Al Jasrah Tower, 12th Floor, Building No. 95
Road 1702, Block 317
Diplomatic Area, Manama
City: Manama
Phone: 973 (17) 536270
Fax: 973 (17) 532520
Email: canadabh@batelco.com.bh
 
China Chinese Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Chinese Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Building 158, Road 4156
Juffair Avenue, Block 341
Manama, Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: +973-17723800
+973-17723900
Fax: +973-17727304
Website: http://bh.china-embassy.org/eng/
Email: chinaemb_bh@mfa.gov.cn
Details: Ambassador: Yang Weiguo
 
Cyprus Cypriot Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in Bahrain
Office No. 1, Building 1455
Road 256, Block 502, Jannusan
P.O.Box 5632, Manama
Kingdom of Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (00973) 17598800
Fax: (00973) 17598801
Email: cyconsulate@gpzgroup.com,p.nicolaou@gpzgroup.com
Office Hours: 09:00 - 12:00, 16:00 - 18:30
 
Czech Republic Czech Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in BAHRAIN
Villa no.: 333, road no.: 3207,
block n.: 732- A'ali, Manama
City: Manama
Phone: 00973-17764961
Fax: 00973-17764963
Email: manama@honorary.mzv.cz
Office Hours: Sunday and Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00
 
Denmark Danish Consulate in Bahrain, Bahrain
Royal Danish Consular Agency in Bahrain, Bahrain
P.O.Box 997
City: Bahrain
Phone: 725119
Fax: 826582
 
Egypt Egyptian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Egypt in Bahrain
Vila 18, Om Al Shooum Street,
Area 332, Mahouz
City: Manama
Phone: (00973) 17720005 - Dir. 17721597 - Mob: 39915777
Fax: (00973)17721518
Website: http://www.mfa.gov.eg/arabic/embassies/Egyptian_Embassy_Bahrain/Pages/Default.aspx
Email: egyembbh@batelco.com.bh
 
France French Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of France in Manama, Bahrain
Diplomatic Area 319 - Villa 51 A - Road 1901
PO Box 11134
Manama Town 319
City: Manama
Phone: [973] 17 29 86 60
Fax: [973] 17 29 86 07
Website: http://www.ambafrance-bh.org/
Email: chancellerie.manama-AMBA@diplomatie.gouv.fr
 
France French Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Honorary Consulate of France in Manama, bahrain
Diplomatic Area 319 - Villa 51 A - Road 1901 - P.O. Box 11134
Manama Town 319
City: Manama
Phone: [973] 17 29 86 60
Fax: [973] 17 29 86 37
Website: http://www.ambafrance-bh.org/
Email: consulat.manama-AMBA@diplomatie.gouv.fr
 
Germany German Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Germany in Bahrain
Alhasan Building, Sh. Hamad Causeway, Building No. 668, Diplomatic Area 317,
Manama
P.O. Box 10306, Manama, Bahrain.
City: Manama
Phone: (00973) 17 53 02 10
Fax: (00973) 17 53 62 82
Email: GERMEMB@BATELCO.COM.BH
 
Greece Greek Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Honorary Consulate of Greece in Manama
Office 1, Bigd 1455, Rd 256, Jannusan 502, P.O. Box 5632 Manama
City: Manama
Phone: (00973) 17598800
Fax: (00973) 17598801
Email: grconsulate@gpzgroup.com
 
India Indian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of India in Bahrain
Building 182, Road 2608
Area 326, Ghudaibiya
Adliya - 326
PO Box 26106
City: Manama
Phone: 00-973-17712683, 17712649, 17712785, 17713832
Fax: 00-973-17715527 (Gen)/177103229(Cons)
Website: http://www.indianembassybahrain.com
Email: indemb@batelco.com.bh (Amb), sscons@batelco.com.bh (Cons), commerce@batelco.com.bh (Commerce), hoc1@
 
Indonesia Indonesian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Indonesia in Manama, Bahrain
Villa 2113, Road 2432, Block 324
Juffair
City: Manama
Phone: +973 17400164
Fax: +973 17400267
Email: indonesia.manama@batelcom.bh
 
Iraq Iraqi Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Iraq, Bahrain
Box 26477
Manama, Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: 786929
Fax: 786220
Details: --
 
Ireland Irish Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Honorary Consulate of Manama, Ireland
Banz Group Head Office
P.O. Box 2244
Juffair
City: Manama
Phone: + 973-177-28146
Fax: + 973-177-29403
Email: irishconsulate@batelco.com.bh
Details: Diplomatic Representation for Bahrain is handled by the embassy in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
 
Italy Italian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Italy in Bahrain
Villa 1554 Road 5647 Block 356
City: Manama
Phone: +973.1725.2424
Fax: +973.1727.7060
Website: http://www.ambmanama.esteri.it
Email: ambasciata.manama@esteri.it
 
Japan Japanese Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Japan in Bahrain
55 Salmaniya Avenue, Manama Town 327
(P.O.Box 23720), Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: 716565
Fax: 715059
Website: http://www.bh.emb-japan.go.jp/
Email: embjapan@batelco.com.bh
 
Jordan Jordanian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Jordan in Manama, Bahrain
Building 43, Road 1901
Manama 319
00973
City: Manama
Phone: 973-291-109
Fax: 973-291-980
Email: jordemb@batelco.com.bh
Office Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 8:00-3:00 Saturday - Sunday: 8:00-3:00
 
Kuwait Kuwaiti Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Kuwaiti Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
P.O.Box 786
Manama
Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (+973) 534040
Fax: (+973) 536475
 
Malaysia Malaysian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Malaysia in Manama, Bahrain
Building 2771, Road 2835, Block 428
Seef District,P.O. Box 18292,
Manama, Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: +973 17 564 551
Fax: +973 17 564 552
Website: http://www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/manama
Email: malmnama@kln.gov.my
Office Hours: Sunday - Thursday 7.30 am - 2.30 pm Holiday :     Friday & Saturday
 
Morocco Moroccan Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Manama, Bahrain
Box 26229
Manama
City: Manama
Phone: (+973) 740566
Fax: (+973) 740178
 
Netherlands Dutch Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Consular of Netherlands in Manama, Bahrain
Al Hamala Beach Compound
Office 1861, Road 977, Al Hamala 1009
P.O. Box 11465
City: Manama
Phone: 00-973-17600110
Fax: 00-973-17600110
Email: dutchcon@batelco.com.bh
Office Hours: Sunday through Thursday 10am till 1pm
 
Oman Omani Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Manama, Bahrain
Bldg. 37 Road 1901 Diplomatic Area
P.O. Box 26414
Manama 319
City: Manama
Phone: +973 293 663
Fax: +973 293 540
Office Hours: 8:00 - 2:00
 
Pakistan Pakistani Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Pakistan in New Zinj, Bahrain
Villa No 720, Road 6015,
Block No 360,
New Zinj, Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (+973) 17244113
Fax: (+973) 17255960
Website: http://www.mofa.gov.pk/bahrain/
Email: parepbah@batelco.com.bh
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
 
Palestine Palestinian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Palestine in Bahrain
P.O. Box 1102
City: Manama
Phone: 973-276099
Fax: 973-276054
 
Philippines Filipino Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Philippines in Manama, Bahrain
Villa No. 992, Road No. 3119, New Zinj
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
P.O. Box 26681, Manama , KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
City: Manama
Phone: (0973) 17250990
Fax: 00-973-17258583
Website: http://philembassy-bahrain.com/
Email: manamape@batelco.com.bh, manamape@dfa.gov.ph
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
 
Portugal Portuguese Consulate in Mahazza, Bahrain
Portuguese Honarary Consulate in Bahrain
Office 34; Road number 301
Mahazza 603
Sitra Industrial Area
Opp. Entrance # 3
-
City: Mahazza
Phone: + 973 17 456 688
Fax: + 973 17 456 622
Website: http://www.portugalconsulate.net
Email: info@portugalconsulate.net
Office Hours: Sunday to Thursday @ 10:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m. The consulate will be closed on Friday and Saturday
 
Russia Russian Embassy in Bahrain
Embassy of Russia in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bahrain, 877
Road 3119,31 Zinj
Phone: +97317 72-52-22
Fax: +97317 72-59-21
Website: http://www.bahrain.mid.ru
Email: rusemb@zain.com.bh
 
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bahrain
Manama
Building 82 Road 1702 Block 317 Deplomatic Area
City: Manama
Phone: 973-537722
Fax: 973-533261
Email: -
 
Senegal Senegalese Embassy in Mahooz, Bahrain
Senegal Embassy in Mahooz, Bahrain
Villa 25 Road 33 Block 333 AlMahooz
City: Mahooz
Phone: (+973-17) 821060
Fax: (+973-17) 721650
 
South Africa South African Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
South African Consular Office - Manama
Hannover Retakaful B.S.C.
17th Floor, Al Zamil Tower
Government Avenue, Manam
Kingdom of Bahrain P O Box 21345
City: Manama
Phone: + 973 17 576 664
Fax: + 973 17 214 667
Website: http://www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/sab.htm
Email: -
 
Sweden Swedish Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Consular Agency of Sweden in Manama, Bahrain
Building 344, Block 343
Mina Sulman Industrial Area
Road 4306
P.O. Box 412
Manama, Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: +973 (71) 825 004
Fax: +973 (71) 827 928
Email: swecon@batelco.com.bh
Office Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8.30 a.m. to 12 noon
 
Switzerland Swiss Consulate in Manama, Bahrain
Consulate of Switzerland in Bahrain
Bahrain Commercial Complex, (Sheraton Tower), Office No. 51,
Building No. 3, Road No. 365, Area No. 316
City: Manama
Phone: (+973-17) 531166
Fax: (+973-17) 531158
 
Taiwan Taiwanese Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Trade Mission of Taiwan to the Kingdom of Bahrain
Flat 1, Abulfatih Building, No. 172,
Block 319, Road 1906, Al Hoora Area
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (002-973) 17292578/(002-973) 17293248
Fax: (002-973) 17293852
Email: tmorocb1@batelco.com.bh
 
Thailand Thai Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Thailand in Manama, Bahrain
Villa No. 132, Road 66
Block 360, Zinj Area
P.O. Box 26475
Manama, Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (973) 1724-6242,17274142
Fax: (973) 1727-2714 (973) 17230980
Website: http://www.thaiembassy.org/manama
Email: thaimnm@mfa.go.th
Office Hours: The Embassy' working days are Monday to Friday. Office Hours: 08:00- 15:00 hrs. Consular Section: 08:00-11:30 hrs.
 
Tunisia Tunisian Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Tunisia in Bahrain
Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia, Box 26911
City: Manama
Phone: 714149
Fax: 715702
 
Turkey Turkish Consulate in Istanbul, Bahrain
The Honorary Consulate General of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Istanbul
Fahrettin Kerim Gökay Cad. No: 34 Altunizade
34662 Üsküdar
City: Istanbul
Phone: 00902165442462
Fax: 00902165442418
Website: http://www.mofa.gov.bh
 
United Arab Emirates Emirati Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of United Arab Emirates in Bahrain
House No. 221, Road 4007 - Complex 340
Manama
Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (+973-17) 723737
Fax: (+973-17) 717724
 
United Kingdom British Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
British Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
21 Government Avenue
P O Box 114
Manama 306, Kingdom of Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: +973 17574100
Fax: +973 17574101
Website: http://ukinbahrain.fco.gov.uk/en/
Email: british.embassy@batelco.com.bh
Office Hours: Sun - Thursday: 07:30 - 14:30
 
United States American Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
U.S. Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Bldg 979, Road 3119, Block 331
Zinj Kingdom of Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (973)1724-2700
Fax: (973)1727-0547
Website: http://bahrain.usembassy.gov/
Email: ManamaConsular@state.gov
Office Hours: U.S. Citizen Services-same as above and Sunday 8:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.; Tuesday 1:00p.m.-3:00 p.m.
 
Yemen Yemeni Embassy in Manama, Bahrain
Embassy of Yemen in Austria
P.O.Box 26193
Manama
Bahrain
City: Manama
Phone: (+973) 277702 / 276113
Fax: (+973) 262358 / 324258

Phone Lines

The main phone lines in the country are Batelco, Zain (MTC Vodaphone) and VIVA.

There are over 200,000 main lines in use with over 1.1 million mobile phones active. Telecommunications use a modern fibre-optic system with a digital network for mobile services, these are linked internationally via a submarine cable to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the US as well as having a microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and tropospheric scatter to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as a single satellite earth station, all on country code +973.

Internet

The Internet services in the country have low user numbers of around 2,600 hosts and around 250,000 actual users. The country’s top code is .bh. It's important to note that outside web pages have been recently been frequently blocked following the Bahraini Uprising of 2011.

Communications

There are few Bahraini Television broadcast stations, only numbering around 5.

There are radio broadcasting stations consisting of AM 2, FM 3 and shortwave 0. 

Weather & Climate

Bahrain has a very arid climate and as a result sees mild winters with extremely hot summers. Rainfall is sparsely spread and occurs mainly during the winter months, having around 2 millimetres of precipitation a day. However, in the summer months there is typically no rainfall whatsoever. As you’d imagine, the majority of sunshine hours occur during the summer, maximizing out during June at 339 hours of sunshine during the month.

The peak of the summer season is between June and September and sees temperatures rising to an average of around 38 degrees Centigrade (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) but has been known to soar up to 46.7 degrees Centigrade (116.1 degrees Fahrenheit) as early as May.

Winter is typically around December to February and it’s normal to see temperatures drop to around 14.1 degrees Centigrade (57.4 degrees Fahrenheit) but temperatures plummeting to 2.7 degrees Centigrade (36.9 degrees Fahrenheit) have been recorded in January.

Holidays

Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and sitting firmly on the beautiful beaches of Zallaq, the Sofital Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Luxury Hotel features a brilliant blend of Arabic and French art styles and holds 262 rooms, each coming with a large balcony with stunning sea views, as well as a ballroom, a private island, a pool, a water-sports club and several restaurants and bars.

Based right next to the country’s oldest market, Bab Al Bahrain, as well as the Bahrain Gold Souk, the Bahrain Intercontinental Hotel & Resort features an outdoor pool, spa treatments and three restaurants, and also is only ten minutes away from the nearest airport. The hotel itself incorporates a neo-Arabian style with deep red-brown furniture combined with blue and white architectural styles.

The Domain overlooks the nearby coastline and is known to cater to the business district nearby, the hotel contains over 131 rooms and suites across 36 floors and offers not only a full valet parking service but a butler service, spa and fitness facilities and an indoor rooftop infinity pool with a retractable roof for when the sun is out and the heat gets turned up a notch.

Located on the northern coastline and secluded from its peers, the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa features beautifully furnished rooms which include a twice-daily housekeeping service, a laundry service, 24-hour in-room dining, an interactive LCD multilingual plasma TV, on-suite bathrooms, high-speed internet access and a wonderfully ecstatic view of the shimmering blue Bahrain coastline itself.

Moving over to Manama, the Baher Mariott Executive Apartments are only 10 minutes away from the closest airport and offers extremely large one, two and three bedroom apartments, all fitted with high-quality furnishings, a dedicated office area, a full-sized kitchen, wireless internet and a safe. The hotel also offers dedicated housekeeping, 24-hour security and room services as well as a safe and access to a rooftop pool and fitness area.

15 minutes’ drive away from the nearest airport, the Best Western Olay Suites Hotel features a hundred varied rooms and suites, featuring LCD TVs, a mini-bar, Wi-Fi Internet and a tea & coffee maker. The hotel itself includes two restaurants, a bar, a coffee shop, a health club, a sauna, a rooftop swimming pool and room service for all prior mentioned food outlets above.

Coming complete with a full free buffet breakfast, free parking and free Wi-Fi, the Windsor Tower Hotel Manama actually holds its own nightclub, pool and two restaurants within its walls and includes 78 guest rooms, each fitted with a tub and shower, a refrigerator and a TV but also includes additional 24-hour room service. The hotel is located very close to some of Bahrain’s cultural districts and is only around a mile away from the country’s National Museum and Theatres.

The Movenpick Hotel in Bahrain is considered a true paradise and is rated the only five-star hotel in the entirety of Muharraq, Bahrain. The hotel has been around for over ten years and features a swiss architectural style with a contemporary flair, entailing well-furnished but warmly-toned rooms coming with a range of features including air-conditioning, TVs, a minibar, hair dryers and safes in every room as well as Wi-Fi across the hotel.

Crystal clear waters, a cooling sea breeze and a view that’ll take your breath away, sound like your cup of tea? Then perhaps you’ll like The Dragon Hotel and Resort which features all of this and more! The hotel has been designed to reflect the appearance of a sleeping dragon and features a range of villas, suites and chalets developed with a contemporary art style and furnishing array in mind, each one has been produced to optimize its inhabitants experience during their stay in Bahrain.

With over 80 chalets and cabanas, the Al Bander Hotel and Resort has been designed with a distinctive Arabian stylization in mind and features a complimenting colour scheme and furnishing array to match. On a practical level, the hotel entails five restaurants, two outdoor pools, a marina and a wide range of leisure and sporting groups and activities for guests of all ages. 

Children are typically no harder to bring into the country than adults and will require:

  • A visa (which can be applied for via the employer)
  • A passport
  • The child’s birth certificate
  • Copies of the parent’s CPRs
  • Acopy of the child’s CPR
To bring a pet to Bahrain the following criteria must be met:
  • All shipping agencies and airlines involved will require a valid certificate from a vet in the country of origin of the pet.
  • Dogs must have a certificate of vaccination against rabies, parvo, hepatitis, leptospira and canine distemper administered no less than one month but no more than six months before the pet’s arrival in Bahrain.
  • A vaccination booklet with all recorded vaccinations must be submitted.
  • A health certificate must be submitted.
  • Pets must be kept in a secure and comfortable cage clearly labelled with the owner’s name and address.
  • A request form for the Veterinary Quarantine Division in Bahrain must be filled out.
It should be noted that if a pet is brought in without the above, it may be exterminated or sent back to the country of departure. Even pets with all vaccinations and documents may be quarantined for up to 30 days. 

Across Bahrain today, over 4300 classes are run publically with a fairly even split of around 62000 male students to around 63000 female students. Out of the total amount of around 125000 students, around 62000 of them are Primary students, around 32000 are Junior Highschoolers and around 31000 are Secondary students. With such large investments into the education sector, the literacy rate of the entirety of Bahrain is at around 95% and around 3% of GDP comes from education expenditure.

Today the country also is host to a range of higher education institutes including the Bahrain Polytechnic, the Gulf Polytechnic, the University College of Art, Science and Education, the College of Health Sciences and the Arabian Gulf University. Many of these institutes have been built in the last couple of decades. These institutes, as well as the education sector in Bahrain in general, are moderated by the Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training. 

Applicants who wish to work in Bahrain will require a Masters or a Bachelor’s of Education Degree as well as a degree in line with the subject you wish to teach, with a teaching qualification (PGCE) and must have obtained these qualifications in the West (i.e. US, UK, Canada, Australia). Additionally, you need to be a native speaker of English and must have 2 years of experience.

It’s important to note that candidates with international experience and/or a TEFL, CEFL, Delta or other similar qualifications will have a huge edge.

Always ensure to check our guide on VISA & Work Permit Restrictions

Luxuries in Bahrain are expensive with a litre of Beer costing around BHD 1.30 ($3.50 or £2.10), a pack of cigarettes going for around BHD 0.90 ($2.40 or £1.40) and a bottle of mid-range wine costing BHD 9.80 ($26.00 or £15.60).

Meanwhile, food costs are more reasonable with a meal at a restaurant ranging between BHD 2.00 and BHD 17.50 ($5.30 to $46.40 or £3.20 to £27.80), a litre of water costing BHD 0.45 ($1.19 or £0.71), a litre of milk costing BHD 0.51 ($1.40 or £0.81), 500g of bread going for BHD 0.32 ($0.85 or £0.51) and twelve eggs costing around BHD 0.77 ($2.00 or £1.20).

Finally, housing costs are similar, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre going for BHD 340 ($900 or £540) a one-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre going for BHD 270 ($720 or £430), a three-bedroom apartment inside of the city centre costing around BHD 750 ($1,990 or £1,190) and a three-bedroom apartment away from the city centre costing about BHD 590 ($1570 or £940). 

Considered to be the best social club in the world by the UK Telegraph in its ‘Best of British’ 2010 awards, The British Club allows its members access to a bar, two pools of varying sizes, a play area for children and several dining options.

Coral Bay has its own water-sporting club as well and allows members to take short boat trips, half and full day boat charters, jet skiing, water-skiing and banana boating as well as Diving and caters for members of all skill ranges and ages.

The Dolphin Resort provides daily shows for 15 minutes at a time and offers participants the opportunity to swim with the dolphins, making it a perfect educational tool for children and adults alike.

Stepping out of the water, Funland has its own Bowling Centre and this is used as a social hub by expatriates and nationals alike. Additionally, the centre has its own skating rink with an ice disco.

Other activities include Al-Reem Tours and Al-Badr Travels which allow you to visit these areas and see the beautiful wildlife of the Hawar Islands, the stunning slopes of the mainland desert and travel on the ocean waves through fishing trips. 

In the old market areas especially, petty crime is minimal and on the whole the crime rate of Bahrain is extremely low. However, incidents of violent crime are slowly increasing and there are small underground drug and human trafficking incidents as well, however, around 65% of these crimes are not committed by Bahraini nationals. Bahrain was rated a 5 on a scale of 0 to 10 (with 0 being the most corrupt and 10 being most transparent) by Transparency International and 46th most corrupt country by the Corruption Perceptions Index 2007 out of 179 countries, with the most corrupt countries at the top of the list. Additionally, threat of terrorism is a concern as well but terrorist attacks are rare at most. 

Emergency Numbers

  • General Emergency: 112
  • Traffic Police: 199
  • Casualties: 990
  • Criminal Investigations: 992
  • Coast Guards: 994
  • National Emergency Call Centre: 999